The definition of Rouquier for the families of characters of Weyl groups in terms of blocks of the associated Iwahori-Hecke algebra has allowed the generalization of this notion to the case of complex reflection groups. In this talk, we will explain the combinatorics involved in the determination of the families of characters for the imprimitive complex reflection groups. We will then demonstrate the significant role played by the families of characters of the Weyl groups of type B.